Despite Yusuf Pathan smashing the fastest century of the Indian Premier League, Rajasthan Royals went down to Mumbai Indians by four runs at the Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai, on Saturday.
Pathan brought back Rajasthan from the dead after a few early wickets as he smashed 100 from a mere 37 deliveries, having hit eight sixes and nine boundaries, before he was unluckily run out.Paras Dogra hit a quick 41 from 29 balls and was involved in a smashing partnership of 107 runs in 47 deliveries with Pathan.
It turned out to be a narrow escape for the hosts as Rajasthan finished on 208 for seven in their 20 overs in reply to their mammoth total of 212 for six.
Lasith Malinga was the star with the ball for Mumbai as he took two for 22 in four overs, while Zaheer Khan, who gave away 27 in his four overs, also came up with a good performance.Earlier, Ambati Rayudu and Saurabh Tiwary slammed their maiden half-centuries to help Mumbai Indians register their highest total in the IPL.
IPL debutant Rayudu showed his prowess with the bat as he smashed 55 from just 30 deliveries. He got able support from Tiwary, who slammed four boundaries and two sixes for a quickfire 53 from 33 balls.The two youngsters were unstoppable in the middle overs as they put in 110 runs in 63 deliveries for the fourth wicket.
Mascarenhas took two for 34 in four overs, while Uniyal claimed two for 41 in four overs but it turned out to be a forgettable outing for Shaun Tait, who took one for 46 in his four overs.
Veteran Jayasuriya started off with three boundaries in the opening over from Dimitri Mascarenhas, while Tendulkar slammed Shaun Tait for back to back boundaries in the next over. The Sri Lankan left-hander then carted youngster Kamran Khan for a huge six over mid-on as Mumbai Indians raced to 36 after three overs.
It was left-arm pacer Amit Uniyal, who provided the first breakthrough for the Royals when he claimed the wicket of Jayasuriya. The left-hander made 23 from 14 balls before he was foxed by a slower delivery from Uniyal and was trapped leg before wicket as he tried to play one across the line on the leg side.
Aditya Tare was promoted up the order and he started with two boundaries in Tait's second over as Mumbai raced past the 50-run mark in the fifth over, having hit seven fours and a six already.Uniyal too suffered in his second over when Tare hit him for a boundary and a six as he went for 17 runs in that over with Mumbai reaching 69 for one after six overs.It was Mascarenhas, who brought Rajasthan back in the hunt, with two wickets in his second over.
Firstly Tendulkar was trapped leg before wicket for 17 from 11 deliveries as he attempted to play the paddle sweep but missed the ball. Two deliveries later, Tare hit a full delivery straight to Warne in the cover region after a quick 23 from 13 balls, having hit three fours and a six.
Former ICL player Ambati Rayudu showed no nerves at all as he flicked Mascarenhas over midwicket for a boundary off the first ball he faced. In the next over, he stepped down the wicket to Warne and hit the full toss through the same region for his second boundary as Mumbai reached 84 for three after eight overs.
Youngster Saurabh Tiwary showed scant respect for Warne as he hit him for back to back boundaries to take to the total to 101 for three after ten overs. In the leg spinner's next over, left-handed Tiwary charged down the wicket and hit a huge straight six to continue Mumbai's good progress.Tiwary showed his class as he effortlessly lifted a full delivery from Yusuf Pathan over wide mid-off for his second six, in the 14th over.
Even at the other end Rayudu also went after the bowlers. Part-time off-spinner Abhishek Jhunjhunwala came under the hammer as Rayudu hit him for three boundaries and a big six straight down the ground as Mumbai Indians reached 159 for three after 15 overs.Rayudu then repeated the dose on Yusuf Pathan as he thumped him over midwicket for yet another six to send the Mumbai fans into a wild frenzy.
The batting team took the strategic time out at the end of the 16th over and was witnessed last year a wicket fell immediately after the break.Yet again the slower delivery worked for Uniyal as Rayudu lifted it straight to the fielder on the midwicket boundary after an entertaining innings of 55, having hit six boundaries and two sixes in his 33-ball knock.Rayudu and Tiwary gave Mumbai the upperhand as they added 109 runs from 63 balls for the fourth wicket.
In the next over, Tiwary's superb innings ended when he was brilliantly caught by wicketkeeper Naman Ojha diving to his left off Tait. Tiwary sparkled with a fine innings of 53 from just 33 deliveries, laced with four boundaries and two sixes.
The wickets continued to tumble in the closing stages when R Satish was run out by wicketkeeper for six as he attempted a quick single, while Harbhajan Singh had to retire hurt after hurting his knee in the final over.Ryan McLaren ensured the fireworks continued in the final over as he hit Tait for back to back boundaries.
Mumbai Indians finished on a mammoth 212 for six in their 20 overs to register their highest total in the IPL.Mascarenhas was the best bowler for Rajasthan as he took two for 34 in four overs, while Uniyal claimed two for 41 in four overs.
